Walsall boss Dean Smith insists the Saddlers must prove themselves again

Walsall manager Dean Smith today insisted the Saddlers must prove themselves again and admitted their slump has been "character building."

Smith believes they are on the brink of a recovery and will improve if they stick to their principles.

The Saddlers head to Exeter in the FA Cup on Saturday hunting just their second win since August, after the weekend's morale-boosting 1-1 draw at Huddersfield.

It kept Walsall out of the League One drop zone but Smith insisted they cannot afford to relax.

He said: "All the time you have to prove yourself, whether you're a player, coach or manager and, as a manager, it's a results-based industry.

"Not getting beaten is important. It's been character building, but it always is. You learn a lot more about the players when things are going against you."